Rare Earth Magnets' New Frontier? Can Gallium Be the Eco-Friendly Substitute for Dysprosium and Terbium?

In the realm of rare earth permanent magnets, a revolutionary discussion on performance enhancement and sustainable resource utilization is quietly gaining momentum. Traditionally, dysprosium and terbium infiltration techniques have been widely employed to bolster the coercivity and demagnetization resistance of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets. However, the mining of these heavy rare earth elements poses formidable challenges, including high costs, environmental impacts, limited total reserves, and low utilization rates. Faced with these pressing issues, the search for efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives has become a pressing need within the industry.

According to recent updates, in 2023, national ministries and commissions have convened multiple meetings to focus on the efficient utilization of rare earth resources and environmental protection, clearly outlining the strategic direction of reducing the use of heavy rare earth materials. In this context, an element named gallium has gradually come into the spotlight of researchers and industrialists due to its unique physical properties and abundant reserves.

Gallium: A New Beacon for Rare Earth Magnets?

Gallium, which also exhibits exceptional temperature resistance and demagnetization resistance, boasts a significantly lower market price than terbium and a marginally lower price than dysprosium, presenting a notable economic advantage. More importantly, gallium's total mineral reserves far exceed those of dysprosium and terbium, paving the way for large-scale applications. As the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology advocates "energy conservation, emission reduction, and vigorous development of the new energy motor industry," the high performance and longevity of rare earth permanent magnets have become indispensable to the new energy motor industry. Regulations stipulate that the demagnetization rate of rare earth permanent magnets must be strictly controlled within 1% over the next decade, imposing stricter requirements on material selection and application.

The Post-Permanent Magnet Era: Gallium May Lead the Trend

Against this backdrop, gallium, with its unique properties and resource advantages, is being hailed as a crucial substitute for traditional rare earth elements like dysprosium and terbium. This transition holds the promise of alleviating the scarcity of rare earth resources, mitigating environmental pollution during mining, and providing more economical and eco-friendly solutions for the new energy motor industry. Industry experts suggest that with continuous technological breakthroughs and expanded application scenarios, gallium's application in rare earth permanent magnets holds immense potential, potentially ushering in a new era of material innovation.

Conclusion

Confronted with the dual challenges of global resource scarcity and environmental protection, the innovation and development of rare earth permanent materials carry significant responsibilities. The emergence of gallium as a viable option injects fresh vitality and hope into this field. In the future, we eagerly anticipate more groundbreaking achievements leveraging gallium, jointly propelling the rare earth permanent material industry towards a greener, more efficient, and sustainable path.

Reference:
The 12th SMM Small Metals Industry Conference 2024 Successfully Concluded! A Comprehensive Overview of Industry Development Prospects and Key Technologies!